Blackburn pub gets to fly England flag after row

A PUB landlord who was asked to take down his St George’s flags was allowed to keep his decorations up after two Blackburn councillors intervened.

Kris Ball, who runs the Brownhill Arms in Blackburn, said health and safety had ‘gone mad’ after a Blackburn with Darwen Council official told him the eight 5ft by 3ft banners might blow into the road and knock a cyclist off their bike.

Mr Ball said he could not believe what he had been asked to do.

The 37-year-old, who had previously put up the flags for special occasions such as St George’s Day, the Royal Wedding and the Euro Championships, said: “At first I was a bit annoyed. This bloke came in and gave me an ultimatum.

“Now it seems like it is just a bit of health and safety going mad.

Council leader Coun Kate Holler and Coun Phil Riley called in to the Whalley New Road pub to see what the fuss was about.

Coun Riley said: “We had a conversation about how big a risk there was and the conclusion was there wasn’t really a risk.”

Ipsoregulated

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